take two

Friday, July 10, 2009

Alright. Back to the rickrack rib pullover. I guess some of you didn't think it looked terrible before. And, I thank you for that. However, I didn't give you the full view. It really was way too big after I blocked it. Too loose and boxy and baggy. And it was entirely my fault because I initially thought it was too tight. However, after re-blocking I got it exactly how I like it.

A few thoughts about blocking: Everything I ever make, I block. Well, not my hats and gloves or scarves, but all of my sweaters. So many garments don't even get the proper drape until you block them. I do it all in the machine on the hand-wash setting and throw in a little bit of soap. As soon as the machine stops, I lay the garment out on a towel. I often take them outside and let them dry in the sun. I also measure using the measurements from the pattern according to the size I made. And many times I just base it on the fit before it is blocked. (I am that anxious knitter that sews the sweater together and then try's it on with all the yarn tails hanging everywhere.) I always block the finished garment and not just the pieces. (Like a lot of patterns instruct you to do.) And I try very hard to resist the temptation of trying on a wet sweater. This pattern is great. Designed by Kat Coyle. A perfect combination of a stitch pattern and a stockinette. Just enough rickrack rib stitch to keep you busy and then giving you a little stockinette for those moments when you need a mindless knit.

It was the first time I worked with Classic Elites wool bam boo. It is unbelievably soft. I'm not sure I expected that.

Such a pretty sweater! Do you have any advice for a newbie sweater knitter on seaming a sweater together? I feel a little lost and your sweater looks so wonderfully put together. Thank you for your blocking advice. ~Kelly

I have to block my sweater pieces twice - individually (to make sure I'm still getting gauge) and another after it's all seamed up. I'm usually nervous that my seaming would pucker if I didn't do the first block and jumped right into the whole.

Thank you so much for explaining how you 'block' in detail - as a complete novice knitter and only on my first proper project that final stage which instructs you to 'block' has always scared me a little so I tend to ignore it!

That is lovely! And looks like a perfect fit. Your blocking tale now gives me hope the perhaps I can still salvage my Mermaid. It fit so well pre-blocking, but after got way too big. I had already decided to gift it to my mother, but maybe there is hope in a re-do? You've inspired me to try again. If you can get bamboo to "shrink" back up, maybe I can do it with my shetland wool. Fingers crossed! Thanks, Leslie, for sharing.

I'm so glad I popped over here. I hope to learn to knit one day (something other then a scarf or dish towel) and I was wondering how to block. I had asked my oldest sister who knits (and made me a beautiful vest this past winter) and she didn't know. I'm guessing what she had knit long ago didn't necessarily need to be blocked? Now I can share and also store the info away for myself.

What I most excited about, however, is something in that shade of purple. Yum. I totally have a purple thing going as you may recall from past conversations in this wonderful space. And something in that shade of purple will totally match your awesome summertime nail polish. Yes, purple, the color of grapes that become a delicate wine to dance the jig and sing a song within as you savor each wonderful sip in good company. rockin' shockin' good! :)

Leslie, I love it. it looks great. thanks for all the tips on blocking. i am going to do it your way now. I have always blocked my stuff in the sink, and waited forever for them to dry. your way sounds much better!

this is just perfect. and why i have such a hard time posting pics. you seem to always have a perfect fit. my sweaters always seem to be too big. i have a narrow torso and find a lot of patterns need adjustment. anyway, i agree with your blocking method. thanks for sharing it. and i love the color you chose! gorgeous.

so I get the blocking process. my question is do you have to "block" so to speak everytime you wash a garment? this maybe a dumb question but I imagine sweaters taking whatever shape they want everytime they get washed.

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